SAIW STUDENT PROFILES: Nathan Hassett & Ashraf Baulacky

WELDING STUDENTS SAY SAIW INTERNATIONAL QUALIFICATION IS A CUT ABOVE THE REST

Two students recently completed the globally recognised IIW’s International Welder Course through the SAIW with great success. Despite diverse backgrounds, Ashraf Baulacky and Nathan Hassett share a life-changing passion and their stories intersect to paint a picture of perseverance, drive, and the transformative power of SAIW.

The International Institute of Welding (IIW) qualification creates opportunities for artisans to make their mark. With a perfect blend of theoretical insights and hands-on training, the SAIW prepares its students to succeed on a global stage. Nathan and Ashraf’s stories bring this mission to life vividly.

Ashraf Baulacky: Forging a Global Future

Ashraf is a 23-year-old from Greenside, Johannesburg, who grew up in a family of tradesmen. He matriculated from Greenside High School, where he enjoyed art, design, and geography. After a gap year, he did a one-year bridging course with Greenside Design Centre, which gave him a general introduction to design.

Following the family legacy, he joined his older brother’s construction welding business. He was subsequently enrolled in an autotronics course at the Johannesburg Institute of Engineering and Technology, which he unfortunately did not enjoy.

Anxious to find direction, he turned to Prof. Zak Nel a well-known career counsellor. An assessment confirmed his aptitude for welding, and the professor referred him to the SAIW website. “What caught me was the International Welding certificate,” he says. “Because it creates opportunities to work overseas, for growth.”

Nathan Hassett: From Passion to Mastery

Nathan is a 22-year-old who grew up in Benoni. He attended St Dunstans College but didn’t enjoy academics and dropped out in Grade 11. He obtained his GED through home-schooling and started working in his father’s business, PA Baines Engineering, at the age of 18.

During his first stint at the company, Nathan discovered that welding gave him a new sense of accomplishment. “I wasn’t always the best in school, so to be able to come out and use my hands made me feel proud,” he remembers. After two years in the family business, Nathan took a gap year. But the bug had bitten, and he returned to PA Baines Engineering to pursue a welding career. Soon, the company needed a coded welder for specialised projects and chose Nathan to attend SAIW.

The International Welder Experience at SAIW

Looking at the students’ experience at the SAIW, during orientation, lecturers help IIW students choose whether to start with theory or practice. Ashraf and Nathan began with the practical component, which forms the basis for theory and gives students a basic grasp of welding.

During the practical training, lecturers are attentive and ensure students do not develop bad habits. Both students have great admiration for their instructors. Nathan says; “Dennis is a brilliant instructor. If there is an issue, he helps us proactively solve the problem. Ashraf quickly adds, “It’s like he has a passion he wants to pass on to his students.”

Theory helps students understand the practical skills they have gained, adding to their knowledge base. “The theory is a lot of information, but if you studied every day and knew your work before you went into the exam, you were fine,” says Nathan. “Especially if you love welding,” adds Ashraf. “You want to learn more.”

Students can apply their new theoretical understanding in the second practical segment of the course. It speeds up the learning process and allows them to practice techniques to perfection. “The training is brilliant,” says Nathan. “It’s in-depth and we have unlimited resources to build as much as we can in a day.”

Firm Foundations and Future Horizons

Ashraf’s next step is to find a good job and complete his studies. “From there, we’ll see where the vision goes,” he muses. He wants to return to SAIW to learn tig welding because the skill is in high demand. When quizzed about how others respond to his career choice, he offers an inspiring reply. “People respect me because technology exposes all these hardworking trades. Without those, there wouldn’t be infrastructure.”

Nathan plans to return to PA Baines Engineering and prove his worth. “The SAIW takes what we can do and opens the door,” he enthuses. “If we want to work in Australia, we have the ability to get a working visa to go. The employment opportunities are far greater with this certification.” But he is committed to making a difference right here in South Africa. “For now, I’m pretty loyal to my company. They’ve been good to me.”

Forging Tomorrow: SAIW’s Impact on Welding Excellence

Overall, it’s clear that the IIW qualification is about far more than job creation; it powers economic growth. Nathan and Ashraf’s stories highlight the critical role the SAIW plays in meeting the local and global demand for world-class welders.

With petrochemical, power generation, oil and gas industries poised for growth, this globally recognised training offering is vital and is only the start of a narrative where skilled welders, crafted by the SAIW, can activate this economic enabler in the South African economy.

For more information on the SAIW’s IIW Course please e-mail welding@saiw.co.za